When football teams enjoy success the way that New Bern and Havelock did last weekend, it can be easy for people to see the head coaches and star players in the spotlight.

They absolutely deserve it and nothing is wrong with it.

But I want to talk about the groups of guys who worked tremendously hard and don’t receive much attention — the assistant coaches.

A general is only as good as his army. Havelock’s Jim Bob Bryant and New Bern’s Bobby Curlings each have a strong one.

For Havelock, assistant coach and defensive coordinator Caleb King taught a defense that allowed three rushing touchdowns all season and rarely was beaten except for plays of miraculous catches or trickeration.

The Rams outscored their playoff opponents, 244-35, en route to a second-straight NCHSAA 3A state championship.

In addition to King, defensive oracles Kenny Frazier and Nick McIntosh aided in developing the feared and impenetrable Rams’ “D.”

Chris Crowe, Garrett Crowe, Pat Whitford, Bob Sabdo, Mitch Williams and Shane Williams also all put in tireless efforts to mold the supernova that is the Rams’ offense.

While Bryant serves as his own offensive coordinator and play-caller, these guys all had an area of focus and dedicated themselves to it with vigor.

For the New Bern Bears, who won the NCHSAA 4A state championship, Coach Curlings never had to worry about feeling stranded like he was on an episode of “Lost” either.

Curlings had two guys right beside him in offensive coordinator Clay Jordan, of West Craven coaching fame, and defensive coordinator Steve Lovett.

New Bern was unfamiliar with what it feels like to struggle to score points for most of the season thanks to Jordan’s creative play-calling and adjustments.

On defense, Lovett directed the stingiest defense in the Mideastern Conference for New Bern.

Former NFL player Jeremy McDaniel was in charge of guiding the talented wide receiving corps of the Bears and Bobby Brown (not of New Edition fame) handled the running backs.

Jeff Haruska directed the linebackers, Taurence Williams the defensive line and Joe Davis the defensive backs.

Gene Primavera helped out with special teams, and especially kicker Kyle O’Connor.

With all of the excitement and joy that will be abound in the communities of New Bern and Havelock in the coming weeks, months and even into next year, every branch on the tree of success should be recognized.

Winning a state title isn’t easy to do, which is why only eight football teams across the vast state of North Carolina can claim that title.

Ask any of the talented kids on either team what helped them achieve their ultimate goal and they will be quick to tell you that it is because they have the best coaches.